Within hours of a mass shooting and fire at a church in Grand Blanc, statements of support, shock and encouragement flooded social media.
In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump said the FBI immediately responded to the scene and will lead the federal investigation into the shooting and will provide “full support” to state and local officials.
“The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn,” Trump said in the post. “This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.”
He added: “The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement on X that her office is monitoring the situation.
“My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community,” Whitmer wrote. “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor the situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc close.”
What we know: Grand Blanc Twp. church shooting and fire leaves 3 dead, including gunman
Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett said that already, there has been a swell of community support.
“This kind of violence doesn’t happen in our community and we are heartbroken that it came to Grand Blanc Township, ” he said. “We’re going to do everything we can to support families, the victims and our community getting through this situation, something that no community ever wants to have.”
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen MacDonald, who successfully prosecuted the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who shot up Oxford High School in 2006, issued this statement:
“Americans have a right to feel safe at church. My heart goes out to the victims of the tragic shooting at Grand Blanc’s LDS church. But sympathy is not enough. Gun violence is a public health crisis. We have an obligation to find solutions to this deadly problem, so that everyone can be safe at church, school, and other public places.”
Elyssa Schmier, regional director of the Anti-defamation League’s (ADL) Michigan branch, issued this statement:
“We are aware and horrified by the news of another senseless shooting at a house of worship. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and the entire Grand Blanc community during this difficult time. We are monitoring the situation with the ADL Center on Extremism and will provide updates if and when appropriate.”
